The Los Angeles Clippers and the Denver Nuggets take the floor against each other for the first time this preseason in a rematch of last season’s first-round playoff matchup, which the Nuggets took four games to three.
The Nuggets look to be at full strength going into Sunday’s matchup, including three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, while the Clippers have a handful of key pieces that may be held back.
The Nuggets have no injuries to speak of going into Sunday night’s game and should be able to play the entire roster on the court if head coach David Adelman desires. After missing the Nuggets’ last preseason game against the Toronto Raptors, Aaron Gordon practiced again on Friday and will be good to go against the Clippers.
David Adelman: Aaron Gordon practiced today and is fine after sitting out the last preseason game pic.twitter.com/oIuluUjcR0
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) October 10, 2025
The Clippers have two players to worry about going into Sunday, but it appears they’ll both be game-time decisions when it comes to playing time.
Bogdan Bogdanovic left the Clippers’ first preseason game against the Guangzhou Loong-Lions early due to back soreness and did not return. The Clippers will have to keep a close eye on their guard’s status to see if he should be limited on Sunday.
LA Clippers guard James Harden (1) defends on Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) in the third quarter during game seven of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. / Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Bradley Beal is the other significant player on the Los Angeles roster who might be missing time on Sunday. Beal missed the Clippers’ first game against the Lions and is currently day-to-day with knee trouble.
The Clippers plan to bring Beal along “slowly,” Clippers reporter Joey Linn said ahead of the team’s preseason opener.
Everyone will be playing for the Clippers on Thursday, except Bradley Beal.
They’re bringing him along slowly.
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) October 6, 2025
Beyond those two game-time decisions, fans can expect other big-name Clippers like Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and Chris Paul to net some time on the court against the Nuggets’ own stars. Leonard, Harden, and Ivica Zubac all played at least 16 minutes against the Lions, while 11 players off the Los Angeles bench, including Paul and Brook Lopez, turned in double-digit minutes.
LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets during game seven of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. / Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
The Clippers and the Nuggets will be battling for top spots in a tough Western Conference all regular season, and expect to see each other in the playoffs again, just as they did last season.
It all starts Sunday. Their preseason matchup will surely be a hard-fought battle, even if it’s preseason, as neither team wants to lose the momentum against the other during a game that will surely be a preview of many fierce games to come in the regular season.
The Clippers host the Nuggets at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles at 9:30 pm ET on Sunday night.